This writer has taken a small sampling of data and then projectedbroad generalizations about charter schools. I would encourage readers toconsider the idea that all charter schools are different, as well as, theirrelationships and contracts with their authorizer(s) It therefore does notmake sense to me that we could rightfully establish a set called "charterschools" where broad generalizations could be made.(Not saying that nosimilarities exist. For example each one has its own governing board)

Each state has its own charter school laws and in most cases very weak,where charter school law gets written to patch problems, not as acomprehensive accountability system, other than requiring NCLB adherencein varying degrees. For example, some state charter school laws allow noncertified teachers to be hired, while others require the certification andNCLB "highly qualified" teachers.

Charter schools in Alaska where I am employed as a certified teacher, arefunded less that the traditional public schools, however, not at the statelevel, but at the local tax level. In other words our Municipality helpsfund the traditional schools, yet not the charter schools and at the sametime charter school parents pay property and other local taxes, but theschools their students attend do not get any of the tax dollars they paylocally.

In Alaska, all charter schools are all public schools following all thesame laws and regulations. Other than the specific "waivers" found incharter school law that allow freedom of curriculum, schedules, textbooksand programs for charter schools they are required to operate the same. Since any resident can start at charter school in my state, some areopened without great frameworks and fail - these schools are and should beclosed.

My point is that the charter school issues are very complex and not soeasy to accurately generalize like this writer does.

Back to planning more ways to help close the achievement gap within my ownstudents. In my opinion, that is where the most meaningful work is done.

>> http://www.courant.com/news/opinion/letters/hc-letters-to-the-editor-cdb,0,1099648,results.formprofile?SortBy=cdb_01_num+desc%2Ccdb_08_txt+desc&PageSize=10&Page=1&Query=Achievement+First+High+School+62>> Letters To The Editor>> True Cost Of Charter Schools>> Margaret Rick, West Hartford> The writer is a retired elementary school principal.>> on 2012-09-17>> Let's put an end to the propaganda that says that charter schools do a> better job of educating students for less money.>> According to The Courant, the Achievement First High School has a budget> of $1.7 million for its 62 students [Sept. 17, Page 1, "Singular Focus:> Achievement Is More Than Just A Name At Charter School"]. Do the math.> That's $27, 419 per student with the city providing transportation and> meals. In contrast, the Hartford public school system spends about $14,830> per student.>> Then there's the pretense that these schools are closing the achievement> gap. If that were the case, we would see it reflected in the state numbers.> The fact is that you cannot say charter (or magnet) schools are narrowing> the achievement gap when they do not have a population that is comparable> to the general student population in the city. It is faulty math.>> It is essential to have accurate and honest data about charter school> costs and accomplishments to help our state legislators make better> decisions about the expansion of these programs. On the other hand, perhaps> they would like to equalize the funding and give $27,419 per student to> non-charter public schools?>> ------- End of Forwarded Message>>